Carcinogens Found in Baby Bath Products

Photo credit: Getty Images

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble: Babies across America are sitting waist deep in an odious brew of cancer-causing chemicals and other toxins that could be detrimental to their health.

1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde found in popular kids' brands

Of the 48 kids' products tested for 1,4-dioxane, 67 percent showed up positive. The lab also uncovered the presence of formaldehyde in 82 percent of the 28 products it tested. In all, 17 products—including Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea baby wash, Sesame Street Bubble Bath, American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel, and even Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo—were contaminated with both 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde.

Read more at TreeHugger.

Iberian Lynx Decline

From TreeHugger:

1.5% Decline in Endangered Iberian Lynx Population Seen in One Day

photo: Programa de Conservacíon Ex-situ del Lince Ibérico

When dealing with the world's most endangered feline species, the Iberian Lynx (estimated population, 200) every death matters. So when a pregnant Iberian Lynx was found dead in Doñana National Park it's worth passing on the news:

The cat in question was pregnant with two cubs and had been run over by a vehicle and then shot with a shotgun. According to an official speaking on condition of anonymity, it was getting hit by the vehicle that was the cause of death.

According to Arkive:

The Iberian Lynx is the world's most threatened species of cat and may become the first wild cat species to go extinct for over 2,000 years. Although smaller in size, it resembles the Eurasian Lynx, possessing the same characteristically bobbed tail, tufts on the ears and jaw, a spotted coat, muscular body and long legs.

Historically the Iberian Lynx's territory was throughout the Iberian peninsula and south of France. Today it is found only in small areas of central and southwest Spain, and in the Algarve mountains of Portugal.

More here

Endangered Species
10 Endangered Animas Which Aren't in the Spotlight, But Should Be
One in Six European Mammals Face Extinction
Ubercool "Mexican Walking Fish" Nearing Extinction

Provigil habit-forming

A so-called "smart drug" popular with young people may carry more of an addiction risk than thought.

Provigil habit-forming

Irish Frogs Survived Ice Age

As you know it is all about Ireland today.

So here is a tidbit of a curiosity of science about the Emerald Isle:

Ireland is not known for its wildlife, as much of it was wiped out in the Ice Age. But the single species of frog that lives on the Emerald Isle apparently toughed it out during that extreme climate event while the same type of frog back on the British mainland retreated.

Research by scientists at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Queen Mary, University of London, suggests that so-called common frogs (Rana temporaria) on Ireland survived by hanging out in a small ice-free refuge there, while those in Britain hit the high road.

Frogs in Ireland survived through ice age

The Germans usually aren't this sloppy

Centuries-Dead German Mathematician Receives TV Bill

In Germany, if you own a TV or radio, you have to pay a licensing fee as well as register it at the Television Licensing Collection Agency (GEZ).

Adam Ries was reminded of this fact the hard way, as he was sent a bill for his long-overdue television license fees.

Oh, wait, no he wasn't! Ries has been dead since 1559.

Cannibalistic squirrels?

Two wildlife lovers in Britain say they watched a bunch of squirrels enjoy a meal of potato chips flavored like squirrel stew.

Squirrels love squirrel-flavored chips

Talk about a bargin

A man in Croatia who bought an old Volkswagen van for only 100 pounds found 1,000 old Deutsch Marks under a seat.

New owner finds 1,000 Deutsch Marks under old VW's seat

This Land

Woody Guthrie

What does "Erin Go Bragh" mean?

What does "Erin Go Bragh" mean?

The usual translation is 'Ireland Forever'.

It was first used by Scots in America for their military unit's motto (these Scots had come to America by way of Ireland and were and are still today referred to as Scots-Irish by themselves and others) adapting the Scots Gael "Alban Go Braugh" which means 'Scotland Forever' to call Ireland by its Gaelic name 'Erin' in honor of the land they passed through leaving British tyranny for the New World.

And as usual some idiot misspelled 'Braugh' as 'Bragh' on the green flag the unit carried with a harp centered on its green field underlined by the motto ... and the rest, as is said is history.

*****

Haven't you ever wondered why all the Saint Patrick's Day parades in America feature Scots pipers? Even the granddaddy of them all in New York City.

It could happen

Two Irishmen walked passed a bar.

(Ok, I know it would be a very rare phenomena, but it could happen!)

Two Irishmen walked out of a bar.

(All right I know it is a extreme longshot, but it could happen, you know!)

Just in case ...

Just in case you've let the 'Erin Go Bragh' go to your head today. It might have slipped your mind that not only is today the holiest of Holies in any drunkard's life - Saint Patrick's Day - it is also Camp Fire Girls Day.

Fungus devastates 'chicken' frog

From BBC-Science:

Montserrat's "mountain chicken" frog is the latest victim of the lethal fungus sweeping the world.

Fungus devastates 'chicken' frog

Probe launches to map Earth's gravity in best detail yet

Europe's sleek GOCE satellite blasted off on Tuesday – the ion engine-propelled probe will map the planet's gravity field in unprecedented detail.

Probe launches to map Earth's gravity in best detail yet

Fossil of 'ultimate predator' unearthed in Arctic

Predator X would have normally used its two front flippers to swim, save the rear two for bursts of speed on the chase

(Illustration: Atlantic Productions)

Fossil remains of a huge and fearsome marine predator, dubbed "Predator X", have been discovered in Svalbard, a remote Arctic archipelago.

About 15 meters long and weighing 45 tons, the creature is a new species of pliosaur, and ruled the Jurassic seas some 147 million years ago.

Predator X had a head twice the size of Tyrannosaurus rex and its bite had four times the force, at around 33,000 pounds. Its teeth were each around a foot long.

The remains were discovered in June 2008 during a two-week expedition led by Jørn Hurum of the Natural History Museum at the University of Oslo.

Read the rest at LiveScience.

Tactile Illusions

Tactile illusions 7: Parchment skin

In Australia, banned hyperlinks could cost you $11,000 a day

This is so wrong on so many levels:

The Australian communications regulator says it will fine people who hyperlink to sites on its blacklist, which has been further expanded to include several pages on the anonymous whistleblower site Wikileaks.

Wikileaks was added to the blacklist for publishing a leaked document containing Denmark’s list of banned websites.

The move by the Australian Communications and Media Authority comes after it threatened the host of online broadband discussion forum Whirlpool last week with a $11,000-a-day fine over a link published in its forum to another page blacklisted by ACMA - an anti-abortion website.

Full Story in the Sidney Morning Herald

Liars and Fools

Today's Liar and Fool is:

Faux's Glenn Brick says Obama is building concentration camps for repugicans

Swiping material from the X-Files, Faux's Glenn Brick warns that Obama is setting up FEMA concentration camps to warehouse the nation's neocons, fundies, wingnuts, and dittoheads.

From Daily Kos:

In a recent spot on FOX and friends, Beck claimed that he had conducted "research on" the so-called concentration camps being built by the Obama White House as part of a conspiracy to establish totalitarian rule in America and the he could not "debunk them." According to Beck, "If you have any fear that we might be heading toward a totalitarian state, look out. There is something happening in our country and it ain't good."

You've got to be kidding! Want to talk about being delusional ... no such 'camps' are being planned much less built and those that were under construction under the benevolence of the aforesaid neocons, fundies, wingnuts, and dittoheads have been abandoned.

Not a bad idea though! Reopening them and putting those that built them there, not a bad idea at all.

Some people definitely need a life in the worst way!

Own an English village

Kind of like the idea ...

The village of Linkenholt, England goes on sale this week. It consists of 22 homes and cottages, two blacksmiths, and a cricket field. The asking price is 22-25 million pounds ($31-35 million dollars).

From Reuters:

The archetypal English village is nestled in rolling countryside and boasts a manor house, old rectory and clock tower and is part of a 2,000-acre estate...

Locals, who rent their properties, are expected to stay on after the sale, and most hope that a change in ownership does not mean a change in lifestyle.

"It would be nice if somebody bought the estate and lived here and was Lord of the Manor to be quite honest, that's the general consensus of everyone in the village," said Colin Boast, one of the village's two blacksmiths.

"It would just be nice if somebody looked at the village and said 'well, let's keep it as the village it is.' But you never know."

For sale - One English village

Now, just have to come up with the scratch.

A-Hole-In-One

Believe it or don't: Golfer hits hole-in-one on her first swing ever

By Jay Busbee

Okay, ready for your you-gotta-be-kidding-me story of the week, if not the year?

Your setting: lovely St. Petersburg, Florida. Your heroine: 62-year-old Norweigan native Unni Haskell, who, after two months' worth of golf lessons, teed up her first-ever shot on a real live golf course.

On the first tee of the nine-hole par-3 Cypress Links in St. Pete, Ms. Haskell pulled out a driver -- this is a hundred-yard hole, but remember, Ms. Haskell had never played before -- and drilled a 75-yard corker that bumped, ran and ended up right in the hole.

That's right ... on the first swing of the first hole of the first course she ever played, Unni Haskell hit a hole-in-one.

Read the rest here.

*****

I know more than a few, who are seething with envy right about now!

Firm to close office for odd economic reason

In a new one ...

Sykes Enterprises will close a North Dakota office for an unusual reason in this deepening recession: it can't find enough employees to hire.

Firm to close office for odd economic reason

New credit card scheme could leave you hanging

Credit card companies are cutting people's limits below their outstanding balances without notification.

New credit card scheme could leave you hanging

Headlines

Headlines for March 17, 2009:

• Madagascar president hands power over to military
• On Africa trip, pope says condoms won't solve AIDS
• 30 years later, Afghan leader reburied with honor
• Daughter confronts Austrian incest father in video
• Chances for imminent return of Israeli captive dim
• Russia says US, NATO mean new arms needed
• Kangaroos in the firing line in Australia

Drink Green

From TreeHugger:

Photo: Jayce Giddens

Let’s get this out of the way first: I’ve never celebrated St. Patrick’s day. It’s nothing personal – I look terrible in a shamrock headband. But I thought in the spirit of this oh holiest day of imbibing, I would finally succumb and herald the occasion with a couple ways to booze (responsibly, folks) TreeHugger style.

Article continues: Drink Green on St. Patty’s Day without Ingesting FD&C Green No.3

Another Look at Global Warming

From TreeHugger:

What effect will climate change have on both the populated and less-populated parts of the US? Tom Brokaw will delve into it. Photo: Bruce Tuten via flickr

Want an hour-long update on the state of the world's knowledge on climate change and/or have a thing for Tom Brokaw? Then sit yourself down in front of the television on Wednesday, March 18th at 10PM ET/PT for the Discovery Channel's "Global Warming: The New Challenge With Tom Brokaw":

Article continues: Tom Brokaw Takes Another Look at Global Warming in New Hour-Long Discovery Channel Special

And I Quote

I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.

~ Mark Twain

Hello Goodbye

The Beatles

Go Get 'em

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said Monday he has issued subpoenas for the names of American International Group employees given millions of dollars in bonuses despite their possible roles in the insurance giant's near-collapse.

Cuomo said his office will investigate whether the $165 million in payments are fraudulent under state law because they were promised when the company knew it wouldn't have the money to cover them.

More here

Designer Covers Mountain House with Recycled Tin Cans in Patagonia

From TreeHugger:

Photos: Manuel Rapoport.

Here's a proof that you can always go further if you're really fanatic about recycling. Also proof that some materials can look great in very unexpected places.

Argentine industrial designer Manuel Rapoport decided to cover his house in Bariloche, Patagonia, with tin cans from dry milk and tomato sauce. He also used whisky and cognac bottles to create bricks for small skylights and windows.

Check out how he did it, with many pics, in the extended.

Article continues: Designer Covers Mountain House with Recycled Tin Cans in Patagonia

There's a bit o'th' Irish in everyone

Irish Dancers

Rehab Lessons

Maureen McCormick tells Toby Keith the truth.

Portable computers circa 1982

Ah, The good old days ...

Just what is the difference between a pocket computer and some of the more sophisticated hand-held programmable calculators?

From a practical standpoint, it all depends on the type of information (data, if you will) that you manipulate. For many problems, numbers and mathematical formulas are all that are involved. And if number crunching is your game, either product may be suitable. (Astronauts, in fact, have often used programmable calculators to determine the data to be entered into on-board spacecraft computers.) Pocket or hand-held computers, however, not only allow you to crunch numbers (and in greater quantity), but to save them. You’ll also be able to save and manipulate letters and, in some cases, graphic symbols. This opens up problem solving to other-than-strictly-mathematical areas. In fact, it opens up the whole field of information storage and retrieval for virtually any purpose, from nuclear physics to household recipes.

Among the machines currently making their way to the marketplace, the two that most amply fit the criterion of pocketable are the Radio Shack TRS-80 Pocket Computer (manufactured by Sharp and also sold as the Sharp PC-1211) and the Quasar/Panasonic HHC (developed jointly by Matsushita of Japan and Friends Amis of San Francisco—those wonderful people in Silicon Valley who originally brought you the Atari video games and the Craig/Quasar/Panasonic language translator).

COMPUTERS THAT ARE REALLY PORTABLE

Western Wall rabbi says pope should not wear cross at site

Ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's May visit to Israel, the rabbi of the Western Wall, Shmuel Rabinovitch, has said that it is not proper to come to the site wearing a cross.

Full Story

And I Quote

Slang is the language which takes off its coat, spits on its hands - and goes to work.

~ Carl Sandburg

Ain't that the truth

Three o'clock is always too late or too early for anything you want to do.

~ Jean Paul Sartre

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Moscow, Moskva, Russian Federation
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Bratisalva, Bratisalva, Slovakia
London, England, United Kingdom
Belfast, North Ireland, United Kingdom
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Marburg, Hessen, Germany
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Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
St. John, New Brunswick, Canada
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

as well as Colombia and Romania

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

Toss out your schedule and act spontaneously.

And away we go!